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Friday, 29 October 2010

Authentic, adventure holiday destinations from Expedia.com.au

Expedia names the world’s top destinations for adventurous travellers

Spending a holiday sipping cocktails by the pool is not for everyone. Some adventure-hungry travellers prefer to spend their holidays exploring some of the world’s most unique, remote and exciting destinations.

For travellers looking to experience new cultures, meet new people and challenge themselves, Expedia.com.au™, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, has teamed up with leading adventure tour company, Gap Adventures to find the world’s top adventure destinations for Aussie travellers.

New to Expedia.com.au, Gap Adventures, offers tours for adventure-hungry travellers to over 100 countries. To book a tour, visit http://www.expedia.com.au/tours.aspx

Expedia.com.au’s top adventure holiday destinations:

Antarctica
A trip to Antarctica, with its towering rock faces, colossal icebergs and vast biological diversity, combined with the bone-chilling temperatures, create a once in a lifetime travel experience. Antarctica is at the mercy of the ice and elements, but those fortunate enough to visit Antarctica will truly see ‘nature in the raw’ as sea lions, elephant seals and thousands of penguins exist in their natural habitat. While on South Georgia Island, travellers will have the chance to visit famed Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton’s grave or take a cruise through the infamous Drake’s Lake on the Antartic Peninsula. The best time to travel is between November and February, with February being the best time for whale watching and to see penguin chicks.

Tour Recommendation: Try the 20-day Spirit of Shackleton tour explores the best of Antarctica, which includes four days on South Georgia Island and a chance to visit Ernest’s grave. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $13,109 per person.

Expedia has return flights to Ushuaia, Argentina. To book, visit Expedia.com.au.
Book your return flights to Ushuaia, Argentina with Expedia.com.au

Tanzania
Travellers looking for an all-in-one adventure to write home about will be hard pressed to find a better country about which to tell the tale than Tanzania, Africa. Located on the eastern side of the continent, the country combines vast National Parks and prime wildlife viewing opportunities with Zanzibar, home to some of the best beaches and bluest waters in the world. For a memorable Tanzanian adventure, explore Africa’s famous wonders: the Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro or the extinct Ngorogoro Crater where travellers can sleep among the wildlife.

Tour Recommendation: The 17-day Tanzania Encompassed tour is the best way to experience Tanzania and also includes three days in Mount Kilimanjaro National Pak and two days in Ngorongoro. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $4,449 per person.

Expedia has return flights to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. To book, visit Expedia.com.au.
Book your return flights to Zanzibar, Tanzania with Expedia.com.au

Bolivia
Trekking throughout South America, and specifically Bolivia, is a unique experience. Bolivia has transformed itself from a country in turmoil during the Che Guevara years into a tourist hub for backpackers looking for adventure. Travellers can drive across the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flats in the world, visit the impressive Iguassu Falls in the Amazon or take a jungle eco-tour through the famed Amazon rainforest. Not for the faint hearted, travellers can also take up the challenge and trek up one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world, the Andes. Alternatively, for an adrenaline-packed adventure, travellers can hop on a bike or bus and travel along the eerily named ‘road of death’, which is guaranteed to get the heart pumping.

Tour Recommendation: Experience Bolivia with the 11-day Bolivia Discovery tour, which includes three days of driving across the salt flats. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $1,179 per person.

Galapagos Islands
A visit to the Galapagos Islands will astound even the most experienced traveller. As nature enthusiasts discover the unique wildlife just like Charles Darwin did over two centuries ago, they may come face-to-face with a giant Galapagos tortoise or flightless cormorant, which are unique to the Islands. A great way to get around and explore the Islands is by boat and plenty of cruises make frequent day trips to the other Islands of the archipelago. For a closer brush with nature, travellers can explore the Islands by snorkeling in Turtle Cave, where travellers can swim with the sea lions or get up close to reef sharks. Other must sees include the twin craters at Los Gemelos and, if lucky, travellers will also get a chance to see hundreds of Sally Lightfoot crabs at Puerto Egas.

Tour Recommendation: Cruise around the Galapagos Islands with the six-day Voyage Galapagos tour, which includes a cruise to Rabida Island and a chance to see the large sea lion colony. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $2,249 per person, plus USD$100 Galapagos Park fee and USD$10 transit control fee.

Expedia has return flights to Quito, Ecuador. To book, visit Expedia.com.au.
Book your return flights to Quito, Ecuador with Expedia.com.au

Mexico
Travellers seeking a cultural or activity-based holiday will be rewarded once they leave behind the resorts and beaches of the popular party towns such as Cancun and embrace Mexico’s rich history, infectious culture and world-famous cuisine. Travellers can try their hand at a number of challenging activities including jungle hikes, caving and barrier reef snorkeling with sting rays and reef sharks. Or, for something a little less adventurous but equally rewarding, travellers can wander through the ancient Mayan sites and discover the strong local culture or learn about day-to-day Mayan life in San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Tour Recommendation: Discover Mexico in all its glory with a 22-day Mayan Adventure tour, which includes two days in Palenque, one of the most well-known ruins in Mundo Maya. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $2,069 per person.

Expedia has return flights to Cancun, Mexico. To book, visit Expedia.com.au.
Book your return flights to Cancun, Mexico with Expedia.com.au

New Zealand
For adventure junkies, New Zealand is the place to be. Queenstown, which is arguably the adventure capital of the world, has been attracting adventure tourists for decades and it never fails to impress. Whether it’s hiking on the glaciers of the Southern Alpines , Queenstown has an abundance of action-packed options to offer adventurers of all ages. For the ultimate adventure experience, combine a bungee jump and white-water rafting with a high speed jet boat ride and finish it off with a spectacular helicopter flight, otherwise known as the ‘Awesome Foursome’.

Tour Recommendation: Get your adrenaline pumping with the 15-day South Island Soujourn, which includes three days in the adventure capital, Queenstown. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $3,459 per person.

Expedia has return flights to Christchurch, New Zealand. To book, visit Expedia.com.au.
Book your return flights to Christchurch, New Zealand with Expedia.com.au

Nepal
Trekkers and mountaineers from all corners of the globe flock to this Himalayan kingdom to experience some of the best trekking the world has to offer. Aside from tackling the famed Mount Everest, trekkers are also tempted by other famous treks including the Annapurna and Langtang trails. For those keen to have more of a cultural experience, Nepal also offers some great volunteer opportunities, where travelers can give back to the communities they visit by lending a hand with reforestation projects, and the construction of community buildings. Nepal’s capital Kathmandu is an amazing city full of life and a day exploring the city is an exhilarating experience in itself.

Tour Recommendation: Enjoy some world class trekking on the 15-day Annapurna Sanctuary tour, which includes 10-days trekking through the Anapurna Ranges. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $1,069 per person.

Expedia has return flights to Kathmandu, Nepal. To book, visit Expedia.com.au.
Book your return flights to Kathmandu, Nepal with Expedia.com.au

Laos
Laos, the land of a million elephants, and one of Southeast Asia’s most enchanting destinations, offers a rich fusion of culture, nature and adventure. Travellers can embark on their own expeditions and explore the mountains of Laos and learn from the tribes that call the spectacular landscape home. Travellers can also take a trip along the magnificent Mekong River with its waterfalls and dolphins, enjoy an Elephant safari or visit the remarkable Buddha sculptures at the Pak Ou caves, which are only accessible by boat. Adventure lovers will flock to the Luang Prabang area as they will have the chance to kayak, white water raft and scale some impressive rock faces.

Tour Recommendation: See the best of Laos on the 12-day Roam Laos tour, which includes a day cruising the Mekong River. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $1,169 per person.

Expedia has return flights to Hanoi, Vietnam. To book, visit Expedia.com.au.
Book your return flights to Hanoi, Vietnam with Expedia.com.au

South Africa
South Africa is quickly becoming one of the world’s most popular destinations for adventure travellers. Aside from the fantastic safaris on offer in South Africa, and the opportunity to spot the ‘big five’, adrenaline seekers can come face-to-face with an imposing Great White Shark, from the comfort of a cage of course, or jump from one of the world’s highest bungee jumps. For those after less extreme pursuits, South Africa is the perfect destination to camp under the beautiful African sky, follow the Garden Route along the coast of South Africa, or visit the incredible and historic Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for over 20 years.

Tour Recommendation: Tour South Africa on the 20-day South Africa Encompassed tour, which includes two days in Kruger National Park. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $2,289 per person.

Expedia has return flights to Johannesburg, South Africa. To book, visit Expedia.com.au.
Book your return flights to Johannesburg, South Africa with Expedia.com.au

Egypt
The history and aura of Egypt has been attracting travellers for decades. Known throughout the world for the great pyramids of Giza and impressive Sphinxes, desert safaris are another ‘must-do’ in Egypt. They are a unique way to see the wonders of the country including the five oases in the Western Deserts and its unique rock structures. For travellers looking for a unique experience, they can trek up the famous Mt Sinai or scuba dive in the Red Sea. In addition to safaris, travellers can cruise down the famed River Nile, perfect for travellers looking to see 5,000 years of history drift by such as the Edfu and Kom Ombo temples, all while enjoying a drink on the deck or trying some local delicacies such as Ful medames or Kushari.

Tour Recommendation: Discover Egypt on the 12-day Egypt Explorer tour, which includes a three-day Nile River Cruise. To book, visit Expedia.com.au or call 1300 900 816. Prices from $2,079 per person.

Expedia has return flights to Cairo, Egypt. To book, visit Expedia.com.au.
Book your return flights to Cairo, Egypt with Expedia.com.au

Tour prices are correct as at 28th October 2010 and are subject to change.

Adventure Cruise Guide

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